Featured
2019: We’ll Return Wike As Governor – Rivers West …As Kwakwaso, Security Council Condole Gov Over Aguma’s Death

The Rivers West Senatorial District, last Monday endorsed Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike for a second term, saying that they are satisfied with his excellent performance.
Thousands of leaders and PDP members from the eight local government areas of Rivers West Senatorial District converged in Ahoada where they communicated their resolution to the Rivers State governor.
From one local government area to the next, the people of the district defied the heavy rain to display their support for Wike.
Leader of the Senatorial District and former presidential aspirant, Chief Feddy Alabraba said the endorsement of Wike was premised on the fact that the governor has touched all the eight local government areas of the district.
“The people of Rivers West Senatorial District are for Governor Wike. In view of the good works of Governor Wike, we have resolved to overwhelmingly vote him again in 2019”, he said.
Former Minister of Sports, Dr Tammy Danagogo said the eight LGAs of Rivers State are direct beneficiaries of the quality projects of Wike.
He outlined the projects executed by Wike on local government by local government basis, noting that Wike deserves the massive support he enjoys.
He said: “You have proven to the people of Rivers West Senatorial District that you are the only man to stand with them irrespective of the situation.
“You were the first governor to oppose cattle colony in the South and you opposed the anti-people bill on the water-ways. The people are sure that you will defend their interests at all times”.
First Class traditional ruler, Eze Ekpeye Logbo, Eze Robinson O. Robinson declared that the people were happy with Wike, hence the resolution of the district to support his re-election.
Responding, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike declared that Rivers PDP would win the 2019 elections in honour of the late Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.
He said: “From what I am seeing here, 2019 is concluded. Nonetheless, we should expect alignments and re-alignments. In Ahoada East, we need someone who will complement the efforts of Edison.
“In this election, we must not give room for manipulation. APC has nothing to offer Nigeria. After three years, they should be booted out”.
He warned security agencies against being used to rig elections, saying that when the chips are down, the APC-led Federal Government will abandon the security agencies as they made DG DSS a scapegoat.
He said that he would not be intimidated by EFCC, saying that his commitment to the growth of the state was total.
A minute silence was observed in honour of the late Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Rivers State.
Highpoint of the occasion was the presentation of icon of the re-election to Wike by the Eze Ekpeye Logbo.
A minute silence was observed in honour of late Emmanuel Aguma.
Meanwhile, the former Governor of Kano State and presidential aspirant, Rabiu KwanKwaso, has consoled the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, over the death of the state Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, Emmanuel Aguma, SAN.
Kwankwaso, who paid a condolence/courtesy visit to Wike, last Monday in Government House, Port Harcourt, said news of late Aguma was a shock to him and members of his team.
“It was a shock when we heard of it. We felt we should condole with you”, he said.
The aspirant urged the governor, people of the state, and immediate members of the bereaved family to take heart.
Kwankwaso, who is one of the presidential aspirants in the plate for of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), praised Wike for transforming the state through massive infrastructure.
Noting that Wike deserves a second term in office, Kwankwaso stressed that Wike would take the state to an enviable height, if he leads the state for another four years.
“We pray to God to give us long life and health to see you completing a second term so that you can revolutionise the entire state.
Responding, Governor Nyesom Wike said, “On behalf of the people of Rivers State, I most sincerely thank you for coming to sympathize with us over the loss.
Wike described late Aguma as a committed and loyal person in his cabinet, adding that it was difficult to get someone to fill the vacuum created by his sudden exit.
He said the state never had any legal crisis under his administration because of the way handled affairs.
“In this world whatever position you have, use it to service God and mankind”, the governor said.
He commended Kwankwaso for coming back to the PDP, noting that Kwankwaso would be very valuable in the victory of PDP in 2019.
Similarly, service commanders of the Rivers State Security Council, last Monday, paid a condolence visit to the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike over the passage of the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Hon Emmanuel Aguma (SAN).
The service commanders, who were led by the Assistant Comptroller of Nigeria Customs Service, Zone C, Sanusi Umar, comprised of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Navy, DSS, Nigerian Police, Civil Defence, NDLEA, Nigerian Immigration Service, Customs and FRSC.
Umar described the late Attorney General of Rivers State as a very reliable and industrious public officer.
While condoling with the government and people of Rivers State on his sudden demise, the Assistant Comptroller of Customs said late Aguma was a true professional.
He said: “All of us here interacted with him while he was alive. He was a true professional who was very reliable and industrious. He was active, cheerful and broadminded.”
Responding, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike reiterated that the late Attorney General of Rivers State was one of the best hands in the State Executive Council.
He said that it will be difficult to find a replacement for him as he was an embodiment of selfless service, professionalism and loyalty.
Wike explained that he noticed that the late Attorney General of Rivers State was ill during the series of commissioning.
He said though the Attorney General offered to witness the commissioning of National Industrial Court, he insisted that he should travel for urgent treatment.
The governor said that the passage of the Attorney General of Rivers State is very devastating at this time.
“No matter how painful it is, we cannot question God. Everything will be done to give him a befitting burial”.
Wike said that consultations are on with all major stakeholders to arrive at the burial date for the Attorney General of Rivers State.
The Rivers State Security Council later moved to the family of the Late Attorney General of Rivers State where they condoled with his aged mother.
At the home of the late Attorney General of Rivers State, very prominent Rivers leaders are condoling with the family.
Former Rivers State Governor, Dr Peter Odili and his wife, Justice Mary Odili were on ground to pay their condolences.
Featured
FG To Seize Retirees’ Property Over Unpaid Housing Loans

The Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board says it has begun the compilation of list of retired civil servants who have defaulted on the full repayment of housing loans obtained.
Head of Information and Public Relations, FGSHLB, Mrs Ngozi Obiechina, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja, yesterday.
Obiechina quoted the Executive Secretary of the Board, Mrs Salamatu Ahmed, as saying that the move was aimed at recovering mortgaged properties from retirees who failed to meet their loan obligations.
Ahmed noted that the decision followed a recent memo issued by Mrs Patience Oyekunle, Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
According to her, the memo reminded public servants of the mandatory requirement to obtain a Certificate of Non-Indebtedness to the FGSHLB and MDA Staff Multipurpose Cooperative Society as a precondition for retirement.
The Executive Secretary said that the board would take necessary legal steps to repossess properties where applicable, in line with the terms of the loan agreements.
She said this was in line with the provisions of the Public Service Rules 021002 (p), issued by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
“I am directed to bring to your attention the provision of Public Service Rule (PSR) 021002 (p), which mandates all public servants to obtain a Certificate of Non-Indebtedness as a prerequisite for retirement.
“The Federal Government will commence the seizure of mortgaged properties belonging to retiring federal public servants who have failed to fully repay housing loans obtained from the board,” she said.
Ahmed explained that the FGSHLB reserves the legal right to repossess any mortgaged property in cases where a public servant exits service without fully repaying the loan.
She reiterated that the directive also applied to already retired officers who were still indebted.
She urged all affected public servants to regularise their loan status and obtain the required clearance certificate without delay.
“The board is currently compiling a list of such retirees, which will be forwarded to relevant regulatory agencies for debt recovery.
“The FGSHLB remains committed to enforcing compliance and ensuring proper loan recovery procedures are followed, “ she added.
Featured
FG Begins Induction For New Permanent Secretaries, Accountant-General

The Federal Government has kicked off a three-day induction programme for newly appointed Permanent Secretaries and the Accountant-General of the Federation, aimed at equipping them for strategic leadership and effective policy implementation.
The induction, according to a statement yesterday by the Director, Information and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Eno Olotu, which commenced on Wednesday, is being held at the National Counter Terrorism Centre in Abuja.
Speaking at the opening session, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, congratulated the new appointees and described their roles as pivotal to governance and national development.
“Permanent Secretaries are the engine room of the government. They are critical to driving policy implementation, institutional performance, and reform across the service”, she said.
The Federal Government has kicked off a three-day induction programme for newly appointed Permanent Secretaries and the Accountant-General of the Federation, aimed at equipping them for strategic leadership and effective policy implementation.
The induction, according to a statement yesterday by the Director, Information and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Eno Olotu, which commenced on Wednesday, is being held at the National Counter Terrorism Centre in Abuja.
Speaking at the opening session, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, congratulated the new appointees and described their roles as pivotal to governance and national development.
“Permanent Secretaries are the engine room of the government. They are critical to driving policy implementation, institutional performance, and reform across the service”, she said.
“The expectations are high, and the responsibility is immense. But with commitment and teamwork, we can deliver a more efficient, accountable, and citizen-centred public service.
“This final lap of FCSSIP 25 calls for urgency, accountability, and strategic focus. You must translate vision into measurable results,” she stated.
In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office, Mrs. Fatima Sugra Tabi’a Mahmood, described the programme as a strategic investment in leadership capacity and institutional effectiveness.
The sessions featured expert-led discussions, simulations, and strategic briefings facilitated by a distinguished faculty, including Engr. Suleiman Adamu, former Minister of Water Resources; Dr. Hadiza Bala Usman, Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination; Mrs. Beatrice Jedy-Agba, Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice; Alh. Yusuf Addy, retired Federal Director; Alhaji Bukar Goni Aji, former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation; Amb. Mustapha Lawal Suleiman, Mr. Adesola Olusade, and Dr. Ifeoma Anagbogu, all retired Permanent Secretaries.
Participants include Dr. Obi Emeka Vitalis, Mrs. Fatima Sugra Tabi’a Mahmood, Mr. Danjuma Mohammed Sanusi, Mr. Olusanya Olubunmi, Dr. Keshinro Maryam Ismaila, Dr. Akujobi Chinyere Ijeoma, Dr. Umobong Emanso Okop, Dr. Isokpunwu Christopher Osaruwanmwen, Mrs. Oyekunle N. Patience, Dr. Kalba U. Danjuma, Mr. Nadungu Gagare, Mr. Onwusoro I. Maduka, Dr. Usman Salihu Aminu, Mr. Ogbodo Chinasa Nnam, Mr. Ndiomu Ebiogeh Philip, Dr. Anuma N. Ogbonnaya, Mr. Adeladan Rafiu Olaninre, and Mr. Mukhtar Yawale Muhammed, alongside the Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr. Shamseldeen Babatunde Ogunjimi.
The induction programme will feature sessions on public sector leadership, policy delivery, ethics in service, digital transformation, and performance management.
Featured
NNPCL To Undergo Forensic Audit Soon -FG

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has announced that a forensic audit of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) will begin soon.
Edun revealed this at the ongoing Nigerian Investor Forum, held alongside the IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington DC.
The minister explained that the recent changes in the NNPCL management are part of a broader effort by the Federal Government to clean up and examine the company closely.
While addressing top global investors, including representatives from J.P. Morgan, Edun shared key reforms the government has introduced to revive the economy and restore investor confidence.
He told the investors that the government’s bold economic steps have laid a strong foundation to attract private investment.
He stated, “Our goal is not just to maintain this momentum, but to accelerate it. We are targeting seven per cent annual growth, and we believe the policies we have implemented have laid the groundwork to achieve this.”
Edun highlighted that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has rolled out major reforms that are already making a difference.
He added that the Nigerian economy grew by 3.84 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2024 and recorded a 3.4 per cent growth for the year.
Edun further stressed the importance of the reforms, describing them as “unprecedented,” adding that, “We said we would do it, and now we have done it. This time, we’re staying the course.”
He pointed out signs of progress such as lower budget deficits, a better trade balance, and a more stable exchange rate.
He also said that the focus is now on growing key sectors, especially agriculture.
According to Edun, agriculture is at the top of the government’s agenda, with the aim of improving food supply and increasing productivity.
“We aim to close the food supply gap, not by importing more, but by enabling domestic producers to scale and innovate,” he said.
On infrastructure, Edun revealed that the government has rolled out 90,000km of fibre optic cable to improve internet access.
He said this move is crucial for supporting young Nigerians and tech startups.
He also noted that 4,000km of roads have been offered for private sector participation, with the first 1,000km already approved for construction.
-
Rivers4 days ago
Rivers Judiciary Denies Reports On SOLAD’s Sack
-
Opinion5 days ago
Periscoping The Tax Reform Bills (1)
-
Politics4 days ago
Gov Bago Succumbs, Invites Persons With Dreadlocks
-
Business5 days ago
USTR Criticises Nigeria’s Import Ban On Agriculture, Others
-
Niger Delta4 days ago
DELSU Spends N720m On Electricity Annually -VC
-
Rivers4 days ago
Perm Sec Tasks NUJ Leadership On Unity
-
Opinion5 days ago
Respecting The Traditional Institution
-
Politics4 days ago
Nasarawa PDP Sets Up Reconciliation Committee